West Virginia Crude MCHM Spill

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On January 9th, 2014, a spill of crude methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM) was reported from Freedom Industries on the banks of the Elk River in Charleston, WV. The spill entered the river and flowed downstream to a nearby drinking water intake of West Virginia American Water. Approximately 7,500 gallons were reported to have spilled. More than 300,000 WV American Water customers were advised not to drink the water. Crude MCHM was stored at the Freedom Industries facility, for future use in the coal washing process. The drinking water ban was lifted in all service areas by January 17th. On January 21st, the public learned that a second chemical, “PPH”, was also spilled during the original spill. The CDC has recommended that pregnant women continue to drink bottled water. As of January 22nd, many customers are currently still reporting the sweet, licorice smell associated with the contamination, as well as skin irritation from coming in contact with the water.

MCHM at George Washington High School

2014-02-07 18:09:37

On February 7, the Charleston Gazette reported that MCHM was found at Charleston’s George Washington High School. The lab results received around 8 am show that MCHM was detected in water at levels of 18.33 parts per billion (ppb), which is higher than the deemed safe 10 ppb.

Two Schools Closed Yesterday

2014-02-06 16:32:13

According to the Wall Street Journal: “Two West Virginia schools dismissed students early Wednesday after a teacher and a student became ill from vapors believed to be related to last month’s chemical spill.

The sicknesses were in Belle, about 10 miles from Charleston, where about 10,000 gallons of Crude MCHM, a chemical used in coal processing, leaked into the Elk River on Jan. 9. The spill contaminated the drinking water for 300,000 residents in and around the state capital, including in Belle, for at least five days.”

Water Sample PPH Results as of February 4

2014-02-05 19:14:02

Water sample information provided by the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. This sampling was conducted between 1-10-14 and 2-3-14. The department has not published any information about who did these tests. These results are for chemical PPH.

Local Report

Incident Description: Ongoing consequences of Freedom Industries leak of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol into the Elk River. ... (Appalachian Waterwatch has been calling this chemical by an abbreviated name that is incorrect. Please correct for the sake of accuracy and credibility.) ... Upper respiratory distress from fumes, intial exposure in our case presumably via tap water entering the humidifier attached to furnace; no mention of that was made in any public announcements, and we overlooked this possible consequence until the day we first flushed 1-14-2014. Subsequent exposures 1) during recommended flushing of the home water system (until I opened windows and turned on the attic fan to ventilate the house), and 2) by showering in hot water after official clearance was given to flush our homes and consider the water safe for all uses. We've since learned that MCHM's boiling point is lower than the boiling point of water, so that it may be expelled as gas as we use our hot water -- or as the water is heated when the furnace picks it up from the humidifier. For a few days I experienced a mild burning/itching sensation and reddened skin after washing hands and showering. My wife, who did not shower here and was not present during this or subsequent flushing operations, was unaffected. The respiratory damage is our biggest concern by far, because it has not diminished with diminished use of the water. Almost a month after the spill, I can report little if any smell in our water but significant ongoing respiratory discomfort. Because public recommendations were made without real knowledge of the substance or its possible effects on humans, we don't foresee drinking this water, cooking with it or using it for food preparation for a long time. In our home, we began noticing significant deposits of *something* in our toilet bowls roughly three to four months before this spill was made public on 1-9-2014. These unknown deposits scrubbed off easily, and we suspect but can't confirm a connection with this leak which may have been ongoing well before the catastrophic failure on January 9.

DEP Spill Hotline Audio from Freedom Industries

2014-02-04 17:59:21

The following is the audio from the phone call reporting the MCHM spill at Freedom Industries on January 9th. Some key parts of the phone call include the caller, Dan Reynolds, when asked what happened, responding by saying, “umm all i can tell you is they discovered a hole in the back and there is material leaking out of the tank…” When asked what was leaking, he responded, “It is a mixture of a lot of things, principally it is 4-methylcyclohexanemethanol…” When asked if the material was hazardous or toxic he responded, “No.” He also said the spill, “…is located right on the elk river and right now the dike is containing materials and we do not anticipate it going into the river.”

MCHM Spill

Incident Description: Caller reports that her water still smells like MCHM. The smell was gradually getting better over the last few weeks, but got stronger again last Thursday or Friday. The caller used the water to her teeth and then got several mouth ulcers. She is unsure if the ulcers are directly related, but says she does not normally get them. She also noted that there is no water distribution in her area and several of the nearby grocery stores are out of bottled water.

Local Report

Incident Description: Charleston Chemical Spill. It is 26 days later, our water smells stronger than it ever did with licorice. Water is now discolored. Fumes have caused hospitol visit and mass headaches and illlness in my home. I do not feel that my tap water is safe to consume as long as is smells and water is discolored. Our water just keeps getting worse and the main line has not been drained and no hydrats have been opened. Wondering what the heck they are waiting for to do that?

Local Report

Incident Description: 2/2/204 - I stepped outside to check the weather at about 10:20 this evening and I could smell licorice again. This is not the first time and I had actually smelled it prior to the spill. I called 911 to report it and was told they would have someone check it. As of 11:27 I have heard absolutely nothing back from anyone. About 2 weeks ago I called this in and was told that they were doing tanker to tanker transfers at a location behind my house. They sent a volunteer fireman to explain to me that it won't explode nor was it toxic. I asked where he got his information, he told me that they had been there the night before and some "mystery" employee of the state (he could not tell me a name or even who the man worked for) explained it all to him and that people were panicking unnecessarily. I questioned why I was smelling it so heavily. He explained that it was "sticking to the trucks". I asked him to explain further. He said you know on the tires and stuff. I asked why it would be on the tires and he told me because they drive through it and things. I am relatively sure that should not be happening.

Local Report

Incident Description: I have been smelling licorice in the air in nitro, wv since friday 1/31/14. it was just a faint odor until today, and now it is as potent as the first week of the mchm spill. we live on the river, and i believe the smell is coming from the river water. you are welcome to come down and check it out for yourself!

Formaldehyde in Water from MCHM

2014-01-29 20:50:29

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A state official says he “can guarantee” some West Virginians are breathing in a carcinogen while showering after the chemical spill.

Environmental Quality Board official Scott Simonton says the crude MCHM that spilled into the water supply ultimately can break down into formaldehyde. He says the breakdown can happen in the shower and that formaldehyde is most toxic when inhaled.

He calls respiratory cancer the biggest risk with breathing in the chemical. He made the remarks to a state legislative panel Wednesday.

Initial testing at Vandalia Grille in Charleston showed traces of the chemical. Other testing showed no traces of formaldehyde, but samples are still being processed.

Freedom Industries’ Jan. 9 spill in Charleston spurred a water-use ban for 300,000 West Virginians for days, but officials have lifted it.

Freedom Now Says 10,000 Gallons of Crude MCHM/PPH Spilled

2014-01-28 19:30:02

According to the West Virginia DEP, “Freedom Industries has revised its estimate to approximately 10,000 gallons as the amount of Crude MCHM/PPH blend that leaked from a storage tank at its Elk River facility in Charleston on Jan. 9. It is not known how much material spilled into the Elk River and shut down the drinking water supply for citizens across nine West Virginia counties. Freedom said it has recovered approximately 1,272 gallons of MCHM/PPH blend in absorbent booms and other control devices at the spill site.”

MCHM Spill

Incident Description: The water in this home had been running clear, until this evening. The water now has a brown slimy substance in it. The water has the sweet smell of MCHM, as well as a bleach smell now.

Eastman Chemical MCHM Studies

2014-01-27 19:22:47

Eastman Chemical company released all of their MCHM studies. On their website, they say, “Eastman recognizes that the public is interested in the toxicity studies and is making all of the studies available below. Toxicity studies are technical documents written for trained professionals. Specialized scientific training is needed to use the studies to evaluate the risks to humans based upon animal testing results. Eastman is not in a position to respond to questions from the public regarding the toxicity studies but will continue to work with emergency responders and local, state and federal agencies as needed. Eastman encourages individuals to contact emergency responders and local, state and federal agencies for information related to spill recovery efforts and with any safety or toxicity concerns. If an individual has concerns about his or her health, Eastman encourages them to contact a medical professional. Eastman does not provide medical advice to individuals.”

WVDHHR Press Release PPH January 23

2014-01-27 18:39:30

This pdf provided was by the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. This document, released by the West Virginia Department of Heath and Human Resources, states that PPH was not detected in water samples and “these results indicate no health concerns, based on the latest guidance provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

WV MCHM Water Sample January 24

2014-01-27 17:50:18

Water sample information provided by the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. This sampling was conducted between 1-17-14 and 1-23-14. The department has not published any information about who did these tests or the specific compound tested for, though presumably these results are all for 4-methylcyclohexane methanol.

Water testing results published January 24- full pdf

MCHM Spill

Incident Description: Caller is still smelling the chemical. They are not using the water for anything. Caller has sores in throat from drinking the water shortly after the spill, before she heard the water was unsafe. She threw up for several days. They have flushed house multiple times, eyes get red itchy when flushing. Can smell fumes in house from toilet boil. Slimy white substance seen on dishes from the water.

MCHM Spill

Incident Description: Caller reports they are still smelling chemical in water. Ran bathtub for 3 hours to flush, but no improvement. Eyes burn when water is running. They are not using it for anything.

Local Report

Incident Description: Freedom chemical spill Crude MCHM
Today, the hot water still smells of the chemical, but the odor isn't noticeable in the cold water in my home.
However, I tried an experiment - I put cold water in a pan on the stove and heated it up. Sure enough, just before it reached the boiling point, I could smell it. The chemical is still present in the cold water even if you can't smell it.

Local Report

Incident Description: As a result of the chemicals that spilled into the Elk River, my water is still not "normal". A strong odor, similar to red Kool-Aid, comes and goes from day to day. I smell it mainly when I turn on the hot water in my shower. I have flushed my system twice now. I do not drink or cook with the water, but I do wash dishes, wash laundry, and shower in it.
Twice in the past two weeks while in the shower I have became very itchy. I did not notice any strange smells during these two incidents. Upon getting out of the shower, I looked in the mirror to notice red splotches on my skin. I was very itchy and these splotches were on my face, neck, chest, and back. I put a lot of lotion on my skin to stop the itch. The red splotches went away after about 20-30 mins. I also had a pounding headache that last at least an hour. I am scared to shower and try to get in and out as fast as I can, but if I don't shower with this chemical water I will quickly run out of bottled water. Today is the last day for water distribution in Kanawha County. I just don't know what to do.

Local Report

Incident Description: First I noticed that just starting today, my clothes after washing and drying them has a chemical like strong smell on them.
For the first time after our "do not use" ban was lifted, I took a shower using my "safe" water. And I now have a chemical burn covered my right hand. ( that's the place were its the worst ). it burns and kinda stings. Today is 1-25-14. Got out of the shower at about 11:00 pm.

Local Report

Incident Description: Still have a very strong, sweet licorice odor in all taps, hot and cold. We have completed 2 full home flushes. In contact with Billie at Am. Water, awaiting hydrant flush then all clear for 3rd home flush. Waiting for 3 days for hydrant flush. Day 14, no potable water.

MCHM Spill

Incident Description: Caller states they started smelling 10 days after the spill. Two household members are experiencing itching, and daughter has a slight rash. Water looks "thick" like hand sanitizer.

WV Water Sample January 23

2014-01-23 16:14:46

Water sample information provided by the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. This sampling was conducted between 1-17-14 and 1-22-14. The department has not published any information about who did these tests or the specific compound tested for, though presumably these results are all for 4-methylcyclohexane methanol.

Lab results from water sampling as of January 23rd – full pdf

Freedom Industries’ Response to WVDEP Order January 22

2014-01-23 16:10:48

Freedom industries officially responded to WVDEP’s order to “provide any and all information fully describing the composition of the materials spilled into the Elk River on January 9, 2014.” The response lists both Crude MCHM and PPH as chemicals in the leaked tank. 88.5% of the mixture was Crude MCHM, 7.3% was PPH, and 4.2% was water.

Freedom Industries response to WVDEP Order full pdf

MCHM Spill

Incident Description: Caller reports they still have the odor of MCHM in their home. The odor didn't reach their home until several days after the original spill. They have flushed system twice, longer than what was recommend. Early on, water was slightly discolored, but not any more. One household member showered after the ban was lifted - a few minutes later he got big welts and itching, but they cleared the next day. Household members still experiencing blood shot eyes and dry skin.

MSDS Sheet for PPH

2014-01-22 20:03:53

The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for PPH has been made available from Freedom Industries. Thanks to Ken Ward and the Charleston Observer for posting it. The compound causes skin irritation and serious eye irritation. It can also cause respiratory irritation and nausea if swallowed.

MSDS information sheet for PPH from Freedom Industries – full pdf

Eastman Safety Data Sheet for Crude MCHM

2014-01-22 19:56:37

This is the Eastman information on Crude MCHM, the chemical that spilled into West Virginia’s Elk River. MCHM is harmful if swallowed, causes skin and eye irritation, and vapor may cause irritation to eyes and respiratory tract. MHCM has an OSHA classification of “Hazardous”.

MSDS information sheet for crude MCHM from Eastman – full pdf

Elk River Leak Included Another Chemical: PPH

2014-01-22 19:45:33

On January 21, Ken Ward Jr. of the Charleston Gazette reported that in addition to Crude MCHM, another chemical was leaked into the Elk River on January 9. This chemical is called PPH, and is known to be an eye and skin irritant and harmful if swallowed. Mike Dorsey, director of homeland security and emergency response for the state Department of Environmental Protection, has said around 300 gallons of PPH have leaked into the Elk River.

Local Report

Incident Description: After receiving an order to flush by WVAW on Friday, 01/17/14 we did flush our lines that day, and every day since. We are still experiencing an odor, but this odor is much stronger when we run hot water. The odor can be described as part sweet and part plastic. I am concerned that the hot water and MCHM may be causing PVC pipe deterioration

Local Report

Incident Description: Freedom Industries Crude MCHM spill into the Elk River less than 2 miles upstream from WV American Water Intake on 1/9/14 -
We have experienced the fumes and odors since 1/9/14 and they are still in our house, pipes and water on 1/22/14

Smell and rash from MCHM

Incident Description: Home owner has flushed for the first time today, flushing twice. Developed headache during the flush, and also experienced diarrhea. Turned the water on Saturday the 18th and developed a rash on face and hands from vapors.

Smell from MCHM

Incident Description: Caller reported home still has chemical smell, after flushing system several times. The smell didn't appear at this house until Saturday 18th. Home owner had flushed Friday the 17th. Household is not using tap water for bathing, dish washing or drinking.

Local Report

Incident Description: Crude mchm smell in water that makes me sick to even turn the faucet on much less use it. I'm 32.6 weeks pregnant and am terrified of the water and the lasting effects on myself,my family and the environment. I've flushed the system m got water three times. The fumes are too strong to do it again and everyday it gets worse not better.

Continued odor from MCHM

Incident Description: Caller's house has had smell since the beginning of the spill. Pipes have been flushed many times, but has made no difference. They now have to drip the water to keep pipes from freezing, which is making house smell worse.

Local Report

Incident Description: OUR WATER STILL SMELLS AWFUL!!! It has a sweet smell to it and when I flush which I have done prolly 7 times. My whole house smells like that sweet smell. I have called wvaw 3 times and they basically say they will have a water specialist call me. The water specialist calls me and says keep flushing. Our fire hydrants have not been touched and my neighbors are having the same issue.

Local Report

Incident Description: West Virginia chemical spill into Elk River, Charleston, WV. Continued odor in our water supply to our homes. I flushed the water pipes in my home in South Hills (close to Bridge Rd Shops) for the 3rd time on Monday, 25 minutes for hot water, 25 minutes for cold water. The odor is as strong as every. Flushing has not helped. I've now flushed for a total of 125 minutes over the course of 3 different times.

Local Report

Incident Description: Sampling by AWW staff from bottom tap of hot water tank in Ashford, WV. System had been flushed according to American Water instructions, at about 10:15 am today. Hot water had slight brown discoloration, likely from sediment in hot water tank. Sweet smell of MCHM apparent in hot water.

Testing Results

Local Report

Incident Description: Have that strong licorice smell in our home ever since we did the first flushing on Jan 16, 2014. It irritates our eyes too. We don't use it for drinking, cooking or washing dishes. It is not safe.

CDC advises pregnant women to continue drinking bottled water

2014-01-15 22:00:42

On January 15th, the West Virginia Gazette published CDC director Thomas Frieden’s letter to the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Services concerning the drinkability of water contaminated by the January 9th chemical spill. In the letter, Frieden advises that pregnant women seek an alternative water source until contamination levels are undetectable.

Local Report

Incident Description: In the beginning we had no smell or odor in our water, it remained so until the day the "do not use" was lifted. On that day our water began to smell VERY strong, and has continued since. It has not gotten lighter or less noticeable, instead it remains strong enough to cause nausea and headaches. 2 weeks of consuming, bathing and washing clothes/dishes in store bought water is breaking us.

4-methylcyclohexane methanol spill

Incident Description: AWW staff collected water samples from the Elk River just downstream of the spill site at Freedom Industries, and in front of the water intake for WV American Water on the afternoon after the spill was reported. A strong, sweet smell was present on the river. A blue haze was also present. There was no sheen on the water, though one had been reported by others earlier.

Incident Description: RESIDENTS IN CHARLESTON AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES WERE TOLD THURSDAY EVENING NOT TO DRINK, COOK WITH OR WASH WITH WATER SUPPLIED BY WEST VIRGINIA AMERICAN WATER, FOLLOWING A LEAK EARLIER IN THE DAY AT A CHEMICAL FACILITY ALONG THE ELK RIVER.

ANY WATER SUPPLIED BY WEST VIRGINIA AMERICAN WATER IN KANAWHA, PUTNAM, BOONE, JACKSON AND LINCOLN COUNTIES WAS TO BE USED ONLY FOR FLUSHING TOILETS AND PUTTING OUT FIRES.

THE STATE OF EMERGENCY INCLUDES WEST VIRGINIA AMERICAN WATER CUSTOMERS IN BOONE, LINCOLN, KANAWHA, JACKSON AND PUTNAM COUNTIES, ACCORDING TO NBC STATION WSAZ.

RESIDENTS WERE TOLD NOT TO DRINK THE WATER, BATHE IN IT OR COOK WITH THE WATER AND ONLY USE IT FOR FLUSHING AND FIRE EMERGENCIES. BOILING IT WILL NOT REMOVE THE CHEMICALS.

THE DECLARATION IS BELIEVED TO IMPACT 100,000 CUSTOMERS, WSAZ REPORTED.

THE STATION SAID THE CHEMICAL LEAKED FROM A TANK AT FREEDOM INDUSTRIES IN CHARLESTON. THE LEAKED PRODUCT IS 4-METHYLCYCLOHEXANE METHANOL, WHICH IS USED IN THE FROTH FLOTATION PROCESS OF COAL WASHING AND PREPARATION,

ACCORDING TO WEST VIRGINIA AMERICAN WATER, DUE TO A CHEMICAL LEAK THAT WENT INTO THE ELK RIVER THURSDAY, A DO NOT USE WATER ORDER HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE COUNTIES OF BOONE, JACKSON, KANAWHA, LINCOLN, AND PUTNAM IN WV.

RESIDENTS LIVING IN THESE COUNTIES WHO USE WEST VIRGINIA AMERICAN WATER ARE BEING ASKED TO NOT USE TAP WATER FOR DRINKING, COOKING, WASHING, OR BATHING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

THE PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT SAYS THIS ONLY AFFECTS CUSTOMERS WHO USE WEST VIRGINIA AMERICAN WATER. CUSTOMERS IN ST. ALBANS AND CEDAR GROVE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS.

IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE MATERIAL MAY BE HAZARDOUS AND MAY HAVE ENTERED THE WATER SYSTEM.

THE GOVERNOR OF WV HAS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR WEST VIRGINIA AMERICAN WATER SAYS IF YOU CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE WATER AND FEEL ILL, CALL THE POISON CONTROL HOTLINE AT 1-800-222-1222.